unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl 

unrolled; unrolling; unrolls

transitive verb

1

: to unwind a roll of : open out : uncoil

2

: to spread out like a scroll for reading or inspection : unfold, reveal

intransitive verb

: to be unrolled : unwind

Examples of unroll in a Sentence

He carefully unrolled the ancient scroll.

I unrolled the new carpet.

When we arrived at the cabin, we unrolled our sleeping bags.

The hose will unroll if you pull on it.

Last week, the government unrolled a new vaccination campaign.

The scandal unrolled over the course of several weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

The railway system would operate autonomously; the tracks could unroll directly onto the surface without the need for major on-site construction. —Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 21 May 2024

Following the discovery, historians tried unrolling some of the scrolls on various occasions over the years. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2024

The change started unrolling for users last week, Meta confirmed to NPR on Monday. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

By using computer technology and advanced artificial intelligence, researchers can now analyze the Herculaneum scrolls without unrolling and risking damage to the extremely fragile documents. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl 

ˈən-

1

: to unwind a roll of : open out

unroll a carpet

2

: disclose

the government unrolled a new program

3

: to become unrolled or spread out : unfold

a view of mountains unrolled before them